Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness [Hardcover]

Randal Pinkett (Author), Jeffrey Robinson (Author), Philana Patterson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2010

If the name Randal Pinkett sounds familiar, it may be because Pinkett was the first African-American winner on The Apprentice. When he won, this black man also became the only contestant to be asked to share his victory with a white woman. The request (and Pinkett's subsequent refusal) set off a firestorm of controversy that inevitably focused on the issue of race in the American workplace and in society. For generations, African-Americans have been told that to succeed, they need to work twice as hard as everyone else. But as millions of black Americans were reminded by Pinkett's experience, sometimes hard work is not enough. Black Faces in White Places is about "the game" that is, the competitive world in which we all live and work. The book of fers 10 revolutionary strategies for playing, mastering, and chang ing the game for the current generation, while under taking a whole sale redefinition of the rules for those who will follow. It is not only about shattering the old "glass ceiling," but also about examining the four dimensions of the contemporary black exper ience: identity, society, meritocracy, and opportunity. Ultimately, it is about changing the very concept of success itself. Based on the authors' considerable experiences in business, in the public eye, and in the minority, the book shows how African-American professionals can (and must) think and act both Entrepreneurially and "Intrapreneurially," combine their collective strengths with the wisdom of others, and plant the seeds of a positive and lasting legacy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…important and groundbreaking book…provides the tools necessary for African Americans and members of other minorities, to achieve success and respect on their own terms.” —BlogBusinessWorld

“…Pinkett and Rutgers Business School Professor Jeffrey Robinson present a trailblazing path for leveraging ethnic and cultural assets to not only win the game of success in any arena, but to reshape America and leave a powerful legacy for generations to come…. They show how to achieve professional and personal success while affirming and amplifying racial pride by learning, mastering, and ultimately redefining ‘the ever-changing game’ - their new metaphor for our competitive world of work and life. Building on the four dimensions of the contemporary Black experience - identity, society, meritocracy, and opportunity their book provides a strategic roadmap to keep African Americans moving forward in their journey toward not simply equal treatment but equal respect for their diversity and uniqueness. Covering ten groundbreaking strategies, they inspire and empower every Black man and woman.” -- Career News Service

“…a trailblazing path for leveraging ethnic and cultural assets….[the authors] inspire and empower every Black man and woman.” -- Career News Service

“A helpful handbook designed for the average African-American armed with credentials yet in a quandary about how to flourish in the midst of a corporate culture tainted by intolerance in terms of skin color.” -- Caribbean Life

“Black Faces in White Places is the perfect book for any Black job hunter who seeks a real career….[a] thoughtful, helpful book.” – The Chicago Crusader

Book Description

If the name Randal Pinkett sounds familiar, it may be because Pinkett was the first African-American winner on The Apprentice. When he won, this black man also became the only contestant to be asked to share his victory—with a white woman. The request (and Pinkett’s subsequent refusal) set off a firestorm of controversy that inevitably focused on the issue of race in the American workplace and in society.

For generations, African-Americans have been told that to succeed, they need to work twice as hard as everyone else. But as millions of black Americans were reminded by Pinkett’s experience, sometimes hard work is not enough. Black Faces in White Places is about “the game”—that is, the competitive world in which we all live and work. The book offers 10 revolutionary strategies for playing, mastering, and changing the game for the current generation, while undertaking a wholesale redefinition of the rules for those who will follow. It is not only about shattering the old “glass ceiling,” but also about examining the four dimensions of the contemporary black experience: identity, society, meritocracy, and opportunity. Ultimately, it is about changing the very concept of success itself.

Based on the authors’ considerable experiences in business, in the public eye, and in the minority, the book shows how African-American professionals can (and must) think and act both Entrepreneurially and “Intrapreneurially,” combine their collective strengths with the wisdom of others, and plant the seeds of a positive and lasting legacy.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (October 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814416802
• ISBN-13: 978-0814416808
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.1 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Specific Demographics > Ethnic Studies

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend this book to all my friends that have children preparing for college or currently attending!!! March 1, 2011

By Troy E Miles

Format:Hardcover

"Black Faces in White Places" should be mandatory reading for all Black Americans before entering the workforce, because it provides a much needed road map for success. As I read the book, I constantly nodded my head in agreement with the abundance of accurate advice and strategies contained within its pages. Everything I learned "on the job" in 17 years is laid out in great detail and is easily digestible by the reader. With "Black Faces in White Places" in hand, I can only imagine what I could have accomplished, if I had spent the time "learning the game" to "leveraging the game".

The authors have outdone themselves.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kudos to Drs. Pinkett and Robinson February 28, 2011

By Vaughn L. McKoy

Format:Hardcover

I started reading the book at 11:00 pm on a Friday night and when I finally came up for air, it was 2:00 am! When I woke up the next morning, I picked it back up before I ate breakfast or worked out -- I was hooked. The book articulated and confirmed and many of my own thoughts and experiences working in law firms, government and corporate America. Great research, good insights and well written. The book came to life when I moderated a discussion with the authors in mid-February for a group of employees at Fortune 500 company. If you have a chance to experience these gentlemen live, do it!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking and inspirational March 7, 2011

By Trina Williams

Format:Hardcover

Like other reviewers, I wish this book had been around when I first entered the workforce and starting playing `the game.' I will definitely share it with young people that I meet to help them to start thinking early about developing their own strategies for career success and legacy building. But even now a decade and a half in, I found many sections of the book helpful as I set new goals and make strategic choices. I especially liked the final sections on `Mastering the Game" that gave equal treatment to Intrapreneurship--generating creative change within existing organizations--and Entrepreneurship. Randal Pinkett and Jeffrey Robinson provide helpful examples from their own lives and the experiences of others to clarify points and make the advice live. Whether one is just starting out in a professional career or reflecting on past experiences, this book is challenging and inspirational. To anyone (Black or otherwise) that desires to be a leader or a change maker within their own sphere of influence, this book is a must read.